Top 10 Awesome Video Game Commercials

The Final Fantasy franchise has a strong history of epic gaming commercials. In the center of a giant crater, a wise, old Elezen is urging on the thousands of people around him to fight off the evil that has spread across the world of Eorzea. The people begin to run down the crater towards him; with every step they take, they slowly transform into their video game counterparts. Black mages, warriors and archers flood the crater as they “escape reality and live the fantasy”.

What better song is there to encapsulate what “Grand Theft Auto” is all about besides Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”? Panoramic views of the game’s most epic landmarks flash on the screen, followed by Axl Rose’s voice blaring as all the “fun and games” referred to in the song are displayed in all their glory: guns firing away, gangsters and cops going at it, car chases galore, strippers dancing and stuff blowing up. It really is a jungle out there!

It was a Monday so monumental, it needed a commercial that matched the intensity of the product. Enter Mortal Monday. All four versions of the original “Mortal Kombat” were released simultaneously as people flocked to the stores to engage in some gruesome fights and witness some fatalities. The commercial depicts people of all ages running in the streets while the infamous roar of “MORTAL KOMBAT!!!” fills our ears. They end up gathered around a building as they rock out to glimpses of fighting gameplay as if they were at a rock concert. The “MORTAL KOMBAT” scream used in this commercial was later used in the Mortal Kombat movie as part as its themesong, which was arguably the best thing to come out of that movie.

There’s just something so heartbreaking about this live-action commercial from 2013’s most memorable title, “The Last of Us”. Ellie’s cryptic narration guides the viewer through the commercial as it switches between gameplay footage and a real-life actor shown in a time-lapse video as he gets scruffier and dirtier, ultimately transforming into a CGI Joel, the game’s protagonist. As the transformation completes and our heroes are left running for their lives, the title of the game is dropped in the form of a poignant question.

Sometimes, it’s not only about the footage being shown in the video. Having the perfect song to accompany what the viewer sees adds to the overall appeal of the product. Such is the case for “Bloodborne” and its commercial, “Cut You Down”. Epic gameplay and a perfectly chosen song transport the audience to the game’s world, guiding them through the dark corners filled with the most twisted, macabre creatures imaginable. Lucky for us, the Hunter displays his skill and his arsenal of weapons as he – wait for it – cuts them down, one by one.

Simple, beautiful, epic. “Halo 3” brought the goods with its “Believe” advertising campaign. A sorrowful song gently weeps as the viewer is transported through stills of an epic war between Marines and Brutes. In reality, it is a diorama, a miniature model depicting the great Human-Covenant war as well as John-117’s – aka Master Chief’s – great sacrifice. Every horrific act of war is caught in absolute stillness; that is, until the camera zooms in on a certain Plasma Grenade held by Master Chief.

Next up on our list is another little live-action gem, this time transporting the viewer to Ancient Greece. Spartans are seen marching to war as a little girl escapes her mom’s side, running through soldiers and up a hill to meet with the Spartan captain, her father Kratos. As he lifts his jubilant daughter, everything comes crashing down – quite literally, as she withers away into the ashes that cover his pale body, turning him into the “Ghost of Sparta”. Those who know the God of War lore will know the significance of this, but everyone can agree that it all looks pretty awesome.

The last thing you expect to see in a war-torn battlefield is a pair of heels and a purse. Scratch that; Jimmy Kimmel with a bazooka is the last thing we’d expect to see. The makers of “Call of Duty: Black Ops” provide one of the most awesome commercials you’ll ever see. Ordinary people roam the streets with high tech weapons and gadgets as they participate in a massive war. Stars like the aforementioned Kimmel and Kobe Bryant are featured prominently. Anyone can join in on the fun and look like a badass, even lowly diner cooks.

Soldiers are dropped down and enter a building, where they’re greeted by a hostess. They provide payment, leave their guns at the door and head inside a video game fan’s wet dream: live-action versions of beloved characters share a drink and a conversation. Nathan Drake relates one of his awesome adventures to Lightning; Cole McGrath show us his good side as an Old Snake mumbles about war. A fitting tribute to gamers everywhere, what’s most fun here is trying to name them all.

Before we reveal our number one awesome video game commercial, here’s a look at some of our Honourable Mentions:

“Be the Batman”
“Batman: Arkham Knight” (2015)

“Professional”
“The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” (2015)

“It’s Everywhere”
“Diablo 2” (2000)

“Jump On It”
“Need for Speed: Most Wanted” (2012)

“Beast”
“Bioshock: Infinite” (2013)

“Bring Friends”
“Left 4 Dead” (2008)

In arguably one of the best usage of a licensed song, “Gears of War” was established as a new Triple-A franchise in one short ad. A city is destroyed, overrun by sentient creatures known as the Locust. The hero, Marcus Fenix, escapes an oncoming enemy and runs into something much more sinister. It encapsulates the hopelessness of the world perfectly, proving that video games have transcended their original place in society and have become masterful works of art. We really do live in a mad, mad world.

Do you agree with out list? Let us know which awesome video game commercials you would include on your list. For more awesome Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com